Gay Italian Communist President to push Italy towards progress

I read a very interesting and timely article in the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Review yesterday when I returned home from Florida.

Like Spain, the country of my ancestors, Italy is changing its ways slowly but surely. Considered the most Catholic country in the world, Italy is known to be both conservative and extremely set in her ways when it comes to the church, family values, politics etc. Recently the province of Puglia elected an openly GAY, communist man, Nichi Vendola to be their president (like a governor). Vendola is now the first openly gay man to hold such a position of power. However what is more impressive, as the article noted, is that his being gay was not a negative factor during his election campaign. In fact - it apparently helped bolster support because he did not go on the defensive and try to cover up his sexuality (unlike most US pols) - he actually used it to his advantage by proving that he was both gay AND a normal Italian citizen like everyone else. His honesty (liberally paraphrasing the article here) was one of the key factors in a race marred by the smear campaign mounted by his opposition. He prevailed and now represents the growing change in Italy both politically (the distaste for uber-rich Berlusconi's government increases by the day - Vendola is an avowed Communist, a minority in Italy's political spectrum) and socially (attitudes about gays and lesbians are changing - especially considing Puglia is in the conservative south).

How encouraging that places like Spain and Italy both have courageous electorates willing to stand up and recognize that gays and lesbians are both rightful citizens AND part of the political process. In both cases, minority political groups were able to overcome the power incumbent majority parties - defying both traditional politics and social values.

If conservative Catholic countries like Spain and Italy can do this - why, in the United States of America, can we not beat the ground and wake up the rational citizens to support the cause of gay civil rights? We need to move past the influence of the fanatical and dangerous Christian right. I'm inspired by my fratelli in la bell'Italia - hopefully we can learn from their courage.

Oh yeah - I joined the Interfaith Alliance - it brings together all faiths (even atheists!) to fight the Christian right extremists... They sent me a bumper sticker too - where am I going to find room on my car?!!?